Aakash Chopra has praised Sanju Samson for his consistent performances in the opening matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Rajasthan Royals. Samson displayed his prowess by scoring an unbeaten 82 runs off 52 balls, helping the Royals to a formidable total of 193-4 in their IPL 2024 encounter against the Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur on Sunday, March 24. Subsequently, Rajasthan successfully defended their total by restricting Lucknow to 173-6, marking a victorious start to their campaign.
Aakash Chopra singled out three standout performers from the RR-LSG clash, with Sanju Samson taking the top spot
“The first standout player is Rajasthan’s captain Sanju Samson – what a phenomenal player. He has consistently kicked off every season with a fifty for the last five to six years, and he maintained that streak this time as well. Not only did he stop at fifty, but he also went on to convert it into a substantial innings, which is always expected from him given his exceptional skills,” stated the former India opener.
“Observing Sanju Samson play from a neutral standpoint, his class is evident. His batting talent, ability to time the ball perfectly, and the composure he exhibits make him appear as though he’s worth a million dollars. He batted exceptionally well,” Chopra added.
Nicholas Pooran and Sandeep Sharma also featured in Chopra’s hero of the match list
Aakash Chopra highlighted Nicholas Pooran as the standout performer for the Lucknow Super Giants in the match. “At number two, I have chosen Nicholas Pooran. Despite Lucknow not getting off to the ideal start, Pooran emerged as a force to be reckoned with,” remarked Chopra.
“When he strikes, it’s in a league of its own. It appeared for a significant portion of the game that he might single-handedly secure victory. If only he had received a bit more support from the other end,” he elaborated.
Chopra then identified Sandeep Sharma, who took 1 wicket for 22 runs in three overs, as the game-changer with the ball for the Rajasthan Royals.
“Sandeep Sharma is my third player of the match. He was exceptional. The way he bowled towards the end, when it seemed like Lucknow was gaining momentum, he tilted the game back in Rajasthan’s favor,” Chopra asserted.
In his analysis, Chopra also pointed out that KL Rahul needs to improve his ability to finish games for Lucknow Super Giants. He expressed concern that the batting positions of both KL Rahul and Sanju Samson may not be conducive to their selections as wicketkeeper-batters for the T20 World Cup.